Baptist church: 7-8 to protest Waterville soldier's funeral

A member of the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church said seven or eight of its followers will protest at the funeral Friday of fallen Waterville soldier John Sigsbee.

Shirley Phelps-Roper said the protests spread the group's message that God is exacting retribution on the United States, including causing the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, because the country tolerates homosexuality and other sins.

The church has protested at many military funerals. In a news release announcing its protest at Sigsbee's funeral, the group said that "God himself has now become America's terrorist, killing and maiming American troops in strange lands" because of homosexuality in the United States.

Sigsbee, 21, died Wednesday when his patrol came under small-arms fire and grenade attacks in Balad, about 50 miles north of Baghdad.

Sheriff's department Capt. Richard Antanavige said the department already plans to have a large presence at the calling hours and funeral simply because of the large number of people and cars anticipated. He said there were no plans to add additional deputies to deal with protesters.

"But we will keep an eye out to make sure they don't interrupt the service," Antanavige said.

Sigsbee's aunt, Donna Weeks, declined to respond directly to the planned protest. "We agree with what John was doing," Weeks said.